The other structures coverage component of your homeowners insurance policy covers the detached structures on your property, like your fence or shed. That said, your homeowners insurance doesn’t always cover your fence. Whether or not your fence is covered will depend on what caused the damage in the first place.
When does homeowners insurance cover fences?
With a standard homeowners policy, fences are protected from the same perils as the rest of your home. Your fence is protected under the other structures coverage component of homeowners insurance. Other structures covers detached structures on your property, like a detached garage, shed, or fence.
Below are a few common causes of fence damage that home insurance covers.
Lightning
Fire
Windstorm and hail
Damage by a vehicle (not your own)
Vandalism
There are a few other common scenarios in which your fence could be damaged, like by falling objects, but whether or not the fence would be covered is circumstantial.
What if your tree falls on your fence?
Damage incurred by fallen objects is typically covered by your homeowners insurance policy. However, if the fallen tree originated on your property, then whether or not the fence is covered depends on why the tree fell. For example, if a thunderstorm or fire caused the tree to fall, then your fence is covered.
But if the tree fell because of rot or age then homeowners insurance won’t cover the fence damage. That’s because homeowners insurance excludes coverage for maintenance, general wear and tear, and aging. Tree rot may be considered as preventable damage because it happens over time, and insurers consider it your responsibility to take care of the general upkeep of your property.
What if a neighbor’s tree falls on your fence?
If the fallen tree was on your neighbor’s property, you should still file a claim with your insurance company, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). [1] If the neighbor is accountable for the damage, your insurance company will try to collect money from their provider to pay for the loss or out-of-pocket expenses. In some situations, the insurance provider may even cover the tree removal.
What if a car hits your fence?
While homeowners insurance will cover the fence in the event of a vehicle collision, you may want to file a claim with the driver’s car insurance instead. After the accident, call the police and exchange insurance information with the driver. Since they’re at fault, they may pay you for the damages through their car insurance.
If the fence-wrecking motorist doesn’t have car insurance or can’t pay you for the loss, you can still file a claim with your homeowners insurance. Just be aware that you’ll have to pay your deductible toward repairs.
Does homeowners insurance cover blown down fences?
A standard homeowners insurance covers wind damage, however, if you live in a coastal area wind and hail damage may be excluded from your policy. If that’s the case, you likely need to purchase windstorm insurance.
If a tornado or hurricane blows your fence down, your homeowners insurance (or windstorm insurance if you have a policy) may pay to replace it. That said, just like when a tree falls on your fence, if the fence was already rotting and a strong breeze simply knocked it over, your insurance may not cover you, since the actual damage to the fence happened over time.
When does homeowners insurance not cover fences?
If your fence is damaged by any of the below causes of loss, you won't be able to file a homeowners insurance claim for fence repairs.
Mold damage
Wood rot
Termite or pest infestations
Wear and tear
Neglect
Flood damage
Earthquake damage
How much fence damage does homeowners insurance cover?
Other structures like your fence are typically insured for up to 10% of your dwelling coverage limit (the overall amount of coverage you selected for the house). For example, say your house is insured for $500,000, then you’d have a $50,000 claim limit for other structures like your fence.
